Recently I attended the funeral service of a good man.
During every interaction I had with him I could tell he was honestly a good man. Even though I barely knew him, our brief interactions have had a lasting impact on my life.
As I sat and listened to the memories shared of the recently departed, I thought back to the time when I lost someone very close to me, and remembered the pain families deal with as they say goodbye.
From personal experience I can say the passing of a loved one is the worst feeling anyone will endure. There is only one way to avoid such a feeling, and that is to live a life of solitude. I don’t envy such a person.
As the preacher spoke, one part of his sermon resonated with me. It dealt with how people deal with certain situations.
Ultimately his message was to take the hard lessons of life and use them to become a stronger person. While his message is easier said than done, especially in such trying times, it rings true. We can’t let loss defeat us.
I know this family has a long road ahead. They have many speed bumps to traverse, many tears to shed and many stories to share. But they also have many great memories of a loving husband, caring father and faithful friend.
Many people may try to console those dealing with grief by saying, “time heals all.” In my experience, this statement is a farce. There is no bandage to help heal the wounds of loss. Time does not make a person forget they lost someone dear to them.
But there is hope. It can only be found in the love and support of family and friends.